Boxing is one of the oldest sports in the world. It didn’t have a lot of rules in the beginning, and it was banned in a lot of countries because of its bad reputation. But as rules were introduced, this began to change. Nowadays, it’s one of the most popular ones with millions of fans and boxing enthusiasts around the world. A lot of them are even beginners striving to be professionals. If you’re one of them, you need to get the right equipment before entering the ring. So, before getting bamboo towels, hand wraps, a water bottle and a bag to fit it all in, buy these essentials to get you started.
Boxing Clothes
These clothes are the first step towards the beginning of your boxing training. You should make sure you have the right size, material and fit. The most important thing is to buy comfortable and lightweight boxing apparel to make training sessions much more enjoyable. You’ll feel confident and ready to take on any challenge.
Start with the shorts. There are many models on the market, but they all share similar characteristics and features. They’re mostly made from lightweight, soft fabrics such as polyester. This allows for great moisture management. You’ll sweat a lot during the sessions and material with good moisture-wicking abilities is what you need.
The elastic waistband allows for a snug fit around your waist. Don’t let it be too tight or too loose because it’ll just get in the way of your movement and performance. Most of these shorts have a wide leg opening and adjustable inseam for more comfort and groin protection. Plus, they’re very easy to clean because they’re machine washable, and you can tumble dry them.
The same characteristics apply to the boxing tops as well. They should be lightweight, moisture absorbent and with a good fit. They should keep you cool and allow you freedom of movement. These tops come in different sizes, and you should be careful about how you choose yours. Keep it as comfortable as possible without it getting in the way of your moves.
Even if they may not seem important, socks are a big part of the boxing apparel and the boxing experience as a whole. Yes, you can put on regular everyday socks you wear at home, but you won’t be comfortable. There are specially designed socks for boxing. They’re very comfortable because of the lightweight fabric and cushioning in the sole and toe areas.
They have a special rubber band that doesn’t allow for slipping around your leg. They also keep your legs dry and cool. You might not need a boxing robe as a beginner but it’s always good to have one. It’s also made of lightweight materials and has pockets in the front and a rope around it so you can fasten it as tight as you want. This is a great addition to your clothing gear which can boost your confidence while you get ready for the session.
Boxing Gloves
Boxing gloves are next in line. They’re a big part of your boxing apparel and deserve a lot of attention when buying them. They should fit snuggly but not too tight. Otherwise, they’ll be uncomfortable and may cause restricted blood flow to your hands. Their main purpose is to protect your fingers and hands during matches and training sessions.
By getting the right size you minimise the chance of getting injured. Just make sure you leave enough room inside for the hand wraps that you put before the gloves. To figure out the size, all you need to do is measure around the knuckles of your dominant hand.
Their weight is also something to consider because it has an impact on your movement and agility. If you’re a lightweight person choose lightweight gloves and vice versa. For example, if you weigh around 55kg, the glove’s weight should be around 220-350g. One of the best materials for gloves is leather. It’s very resilient, and sturdy and provides a lot of protection.
It’s also comfortable and odour-resistant which is an important feature to have in this sport. It’s not recommended to spend a lot of money on your first pair of gloves. You may not like the sport, or it might not work the best for your body. It’s good to start with less pricy ones and build from there. When you’re a beginner it’s best to start with training gloves. Later, you can upgrade to a more professional pair.
Boxing Shoes
The next essential is boxing shoes. Along with the adequate boxing clothing they affect your comfort, stability, movement, and speed inside the ring. Be careful when you go to the store and try not to confuse them with wrestling shoes. They can be very similar in design. Both low- and high-top shoes are popular among beginners. Low-top shoes don’t offer much support for your ankles but will allow you more ankle flexibility.
High-top shoes give support to your ankles but restrict you in terms of movement and flexibility. These shoes should be lightweight. The best possible materials you can choose are suede and leather because they’re both breathable. You will be sturdy and have a strong grip on the ring thanks to their rubber outsole. If you buy boxing clothes online you’d probably want to buy your shoes online as well. To get the perfect size and fit, be sure to check the sizing charts available, and look up the exact measurements.
Mouthguard
This is an important safety item that you must have on you while doing the training sessions. You can’t enter the ring without it. The mouthguard has the purpose to distribute the blow you receive throughout the whole jaw instead of just one spot. This prevents and minimises the risk of getting an injury or losing a couple of teeth in the process.
Mouthguards come in two varieties: strong impact and light impact. Basketball and other non-aggressive sports make use of the light-impact kind. For boxers, kickboxers, or MMA fighters, the high-impact ones are perfect. They’re sturdier and heavier.
To do the job properly, this piece of equipment needs to be in the right size. Choose the right size for you and get the most shock-absorbing protection when inside the ring. A larger piece can be uncomfortable and unstable. In these cases, it often causes more damage than preventing it.
